What is a veterinary physiotherapist and what do they do?

In a nutshell, a veterinary physiotherapist works closely with a veterinary surgeon to improve and maintain musculoskeletal health in animals. They will have invested many years of training and have specialist knowledge in anatomy, biomechanics, physiology and pathology.

A veterinary physiotherapist will be registered with an association. The two leading associations are;

- The National Association of Veterinary Physiotherapists (NAVP)

- The Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Animal Therapy (ACPAT)

Please do ensure your veterinary physiotherapist is accredited with a reputable association to ensure your animal receives the best care.

Veterinary physiotherapists are mostly presented with dogs and horses but its not unusual to receive a call about a cow or cat! We can help with that too! Most animals presented are companion and athletic animals.

Essentially, maintenance programmes are formulated for athletic animals to reduce risk and prevent injury whereas, companion animals are often referred to veterinary physiotherapists as post-operative patients or where early signs of progressive degenerative diseases of the musculoskeletal system have been identified. There is no gold standard formula, each animal is treated as an individual, therefore, no rehabilitation or maintenance programme will be the same.

A veterinary physiotherapist key aims are to;

• Reduce pain

• Increase flexibility and range of motion

• Increase strength and muscle endurance

• Improve proprioception, coordination and agility

During a consultation;

• A full clinical history of the animal will be taken, including current issues

• Full assessment of gait asymmetry on a hard, flat surface at walk and trot

• Musculoskeletal asymmetry will be assessed while the animal is in a standing position

• Full range of motion of all joints will be assessed, including the neck and spine

• Treatment will be administered and a rehabilitation programmed will be devised

Treatments consist of manual and electrotherapy modalities which are further supported with a remedial exercise programme.

Manual therapies include:

• Massage

• Passive range of motion

• Passive and/or active stretching

Electrotherapies include:

• Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)

• Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES)

• Shortwave / Longwave Ultrasound

• Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy (PEMFT)

• Laser

• Heat / Cryotherapy

Remedial exercises include:

• Hydrotherapy (swimming / treadmill)

• Polework

• Gradient Variation

• Wobble boards / cushions

• Weight Shifting

Rehabilitation or maintenance plans are a 'work-in-progress', it is continually reassessed in order to reach realistic aims and objectives agreed with the owner and veterinary surgeon.

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